Young Roots Heritage Lottery Fund project
with Balcarras School, Cheltenham

In January 2009 the Museum received funding to run a series of composition workshops for a group of music pupils at Balcarras School. The aim of the project was for the group to produce a piece of music inspired by Gustav Holst’s Planets suite.

The pupils worked with the composer and Holst scholar Raymond Head, as well as a sitar player, a mandolin player and a percussion specialist.

The music was performed at Balcarras School and in the Imperial Gardens to mark The 75th Anniversary of Holst’s death, and at Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, as part of a month long Festival of Celebration exhibition of the project. The Festival of Celebration also showcased work produced by Bournside School who worked with Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, and Cirencester College who worked with the Corinium Museum.